If you walk into the Ocean Discovery Center (ODC) at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute on any given Friday, chances are you’ll be greeted by a handsome and friendly young man named Carlos Santana.

When he’s not attending dual enrollment classes at Indian River State College, Carlos spends some of his free time volunteering at the ODC, where he greets guests and educates them about the innovative research that is being conducted at Harbor Branch.

“I’m a people person,” he explains. “I love interacting one-on-one and being able to make a connection with a person.”

Carolos is able to make those connections in multiple languages. He speaks Spanish and is fluent in sign language, having been raised by his mother who is deaf and who taught him how to read lips and sign from a very young age.

Carlos also loves helping people. At the age of 16, he began donating platelets (blood) every two weeks to help burn victims and cancer patients. In addition, Carlos visits the blood bank every other month to donate blood.

When asked what compels him to do this, he replies simply: “It only takes an hour of my time every couple of weeks, which is nothing to help save a life.”

Something else worth saving, according to Carlos, is the Indian River Lagoon. Thanks to his work at the ODC, he has a newfound understanding of the issues facing the biodiverse estuary and feels compelled to get involved in community events by participating in cleanups and parades whenever he can.

Carlos is currently pursuing his AA degree and hopes to attend the University of Florida to study Economics, earn a Ph.D. and become a financial advisor or securities broker.